Migration Dreams: Imaginaries and Aspirations of Nepali in Australia

Shradha Khadka, a remote Research & Development intern with Cultural Infusion, explores migration as a process that transcends physical relocation, encompassing emotional, cultural, and social transformations. Through the migration stories of eight Nepali individuals, this article examines their motivations, challenges, and evolving sense of ‘home’, shedding light on migration’s broader policy implications for migrants and host societies. Drawing on her academic and professional background from the United States, Germany, and Nepal, Shradha, as an independent researcher, holds her expertise and interests in exploring Governance, Peacebuilding, Migration and Climate Change through an intersectional lens.

A transnational perspective on migration is increasingly pertinent in creating powerful connections and amity between individuals and communities across borders of their country of origin and destination; especially considering the expanding dynamics of globalisation, social change and mobility in today’s world. An estimated 281 million people around the world, i.e. more than 3.6% of the world’s population, comprises international migrants, people residing outside their country of origin. Behind these dense numbers are individuals, their circumstances and stories of imaginaries and lived realities.

As I prepare to transition from a nestled life in Nepal to the newness of Australia in the next few months, I am overwhelmed by mixed emotions. As a researcher and a sociologist at heart, this shift sparks my curiosity to explore migration imaginaries and patterns through people’s migration experiences, and to uncover the stories that define the migration journeys. At the same time, I’m wondering, what do these transitions mean for the host countries? How do they perceive the growing diversity and its impact on the local social fabric?

Exploring these questions can help illuminate the notion that migration as a process often goes beyond mere physical transformation to emotional, cultural and social changes, and it not only shapes the aspirations, identities and lives of migrants, but also transforms the identities and structures of the host countries.

The migration stories of eight Nepali individuals who each migrated to Australia more than five years ago reveal an assembly of motivations, challenges, and the evolving concept of ‘home’. Drawing from eight interviews, I uncover the nuances of experiences to understand broader implications of migration as an increasingly growing global pattern, process and journey.

Aspirations, obligations and perceptions of ‘success’

In Nepal, while rural to urban migration, seeking economic opportunities, enhanced access to public services, and refuge from the political conflicts within the country, was a longstanding trend within Nepal, in more recent times, cross-border and overseas migration has escalated in significant numbers. Over decades, the country has witnessed rapid emigration in increasing volume. To demonstrate this in numbers, in 2023 alone, 771,000 Nepali travelled overseas seeking opportunities for foreign employment and more than 120,000 young students appealed to the Ministry of Education of Nepal to pursue higher education abroad.

These are whopping big numbers – not to forget that these numbers are people, migrating in increasing numbers.

From my interactions, it was evident that Nepali families and communities typically view working or studying in a developed country like Australia as a source of pride and prestige. This perception is deeply rooted in societal norms that equate migration to developed countries with upward mobility and enhanced status and earnings in foreign currency as success.

Although the societal and familial expectations to attain higher education and socio-economic status significantly influenced people’s decision to migrate, their aspirations are not purely individual, but rather collective, and often tied to a strong sense of duty to financially support their families, including ageing parents, younger siblings, spouse or relatives. Such obligations definitely worked as a pressure factor to succeed abroad, but they also provided a sense of purpose and motivation to pursue ‘success’.

Sense of ‘no return’ and duality of the concept of ‘home’

Economic aspirations are one of the most compelling drivers of migration for Nepali moving to Australia. The desire to acquire economic security for families and invest in future opportunities highlights the role of economic drivers in shaping migration imaginaries and the prospect of professional growth and enhanced social mobility became an essential part of their decision to migrate.

Moreover, once migrants begin to find their footing on the path to upward mobility, a profound point of ‘no return’ often emerges. As they adapt and settle into Australian ways of life, it becomes more than just a physical relocation. It now becomes a journey of transformation, one that intertwines personal identity and belonging. For them, this sense is related to the difficulty of reintegrating back into Nepali society after prolonged exposure to the lifestyle, cultural norms, and professional environments of a developed country.

Interestingly, over time, the primary migration imaginaries that were driven by aspirations for economic or educational advancement transform into a lived reality, where returning becomes increasingly impractical. As emotional ties, such as new friendships, community networks and stability grow stronger in Australia, at the same time, emotional detachment from their homeland grows due to changes in their aspirations, family dynamics, and even political and economic conditions in Nepal.

This transition develops a dual sense of ‘home’, where Australia is a space of comfort, opportunity, and belonging, while Nepal remains a symbolic homeland tied to their heritage, memories and familial bonds. This duality highlights the emotional and practical complexities of migration imaginaries, where the idea of ‘home’ shifts between geographic, psychological and emotional dimensions.

Formation or transformation of identity and sense of belonging

For some Nepali migrants, the experience of migration profoundly shapes and transforms their identity and sense of belonging over time. For others, however, the transition feels more seamless, as they adapt with ease to their new environment. The transformation occurs, nonetheless. Initially rooted in the cultural narratives and candour, their perceptions of ‘self’ transform with the Australian societal norms and lifestyles. While these shifts inspire determination to ‘make it’ in Australia, they also often lead to feelings of unease, loneliness and inadequacy to meet the expectations set by the society at both ends. All the same, the pursuit of ‘success’ plays a central role in influencing their migration trajectories.

The transformation is the result of new opportunities, professional roles, and the forging of social networks in the host country. At the same time, the shared nostalgia of the vibrant festivals, lively communal atmosphere, and the rich culture of Nepal continue to evoke deep emotional connections to their homeland despite their growing sense of belonging in Australia. This experience, when deepened, can also lead to rigidness and resistance to transformation as a way of protecting their identity.

As best explained by one of my interview subjects: ‘Somehow, it has worked the opposite for me. The more I stay in Australia, the more Nepali I become. I want to celebrate the festivals with as much authenticity as possible. Australia has given me so much, I love this country, but I don’t want to let go of my roots, you know?’

The migration experiences of the eight Nepali individuals who volunteered to share their migration stories with me reveal an interconnectedness between aspirations, challenges, and identity transformation. Their journeys highlight the multifaceted nature of migration as a process and as a pattern and emphasise that migration is not just about physical or economic shifts but also about navigating cultural, emotional, and social landscapes, offering valuable insights of global mobility.

Australia’s role in fostering inclusivity and diversity

Australia’s multicultural identity is both a strength and a challenge for migrants. While the Nepali individuals praised the inclusivity, career opportunities, and welcoming attitude of locals, their experiences were not without hurdles of discrimination based on country of origin, color and racialised attributes.

The host country plays a pivotal role in shaping the migrant experience. When migrants feel valued and included, they are empowered to contribute more actively, enriching their communities and driving economic growth.

But to create a genuinely inclusive environment, policymakers and community leaders need to understand the demographics, needs and attributes of their communities in order to design targeted support systems, align public holidays to reflect cultural diversity, and foster empathy within the broader population. In a place as culturally complex as Australia this relies on the ability to access comprehensive diversity data. Cultural awareness initiatives built on accurate, community-specific data can bridge gaps in understanding, reducing prejudice and creating a more cohesive society.

Ultimately, migration is not just an economic or physical shift; it’s a deeply personal journey that traverses cultural, emotional, and social landscapes and by fostering empathy and understanding through informed policies, host countries can create environments where migrants thrive. At the same time, reintegration programs in origin countries, informed by returning migrants’ needs, can ease transitions and reduce stigma.

The stories of Nepali migrants in Australia reflect the resilience and ambition inherent in migration. With the right support, these journeys become not just individual success stories but powerful testaments to the potential of diversity in shaping a more supportive and inclusive future for all.